Derek Denton portrait hung in Royal Society

A portrait of the University of Melbourne’s Emeritus Professor Derek Denton – painted by Archibald Prize winning artist Janet Dawson - has been included in an exhibition to mark the 350th Anniversary of the Royal Society.

Founded in 1662, the Royal Society is a Fellowship of the world’s most eminent scientists and is the oldest scientific academy in continuous existence. It counts among its members Christopher Wren, Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin and Albert Einstein.

A physiologist, Professor Denton was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1999, in recognition of his important contribution to science. Professor Denton was the Founding Director and Originating Board Member of the Howard Florey Institute of Experimental Physiology and Medicine at the University of Melbourne (now a part of Florey Neuroscience Institutes), and is an expert on the mechanisms of body fluid control. At the time of his election to the Royal Society, he was considered the world’s leading authority on the regulation of salt and water metabolism, and relevant endocrine control mechanisms.

Professor Denton says having his portrait exhibited on such an occasion was an honour that “highlights the impact the University has had in the basic discovery processes in biological science.”

Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Science James Angus says the Royal Society is the most enduring and prestigious scientific academy in the world, and the exhibition of Professor Denton’s portrait there acknowledged his extraordinary contribution to science.

“Professor Denton’s vision and commitment to science has been unwavering and has greatly influenced the perception of Australia as a significant scientific player on the global stage,” Professor Angus says.

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